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Monday, December 6, 2010

Homemade Christmas 2009

I can't share this year's homemade Christmas presents cuz my momma reads this blog. I wasn't a blogger last Christmas, but I sure was into DIY Christmas presents!

Project #1

My husband made these votive-holder logs. He simply drilled large holes in the top of the log that would fit a votive candle.

We kept one for our house and it's one of my favorite pieces!

Here is the votive-log all dressed up for Christmas.

Project #2

The next project took a little more time and I should have worked on it before the weather got below freezing! I remember being very cold with fingers so stiff they'd hardly work the camera as I went around our property looking for letter shapes. Here are several:

I found these frames at Walmart, and while I wasn't thrilled with them, they fit my budget. All three families I gave these to had 6 letters in their names, so I gave them each two frames. I'm planning to decoupage our family name to a barn board instead.

Our families loved the letters, especially since they were all from around our property.

Project #3

I think this one was actually from 2008, but who's counting?! I had my then-18-month-old J1 help me mix and roll out and cut cinnamon-applesauce ornaments!

Stars...

angels...

... and gingerbread men.

These are great for grandparents and smell good for years! In fact, my now-husband and I made these for our first Christmas tree 6 years ago and those still smell great too! Here's a good recipe.

Well, I need to get to work on this year's homemade gifts! I can't believe there are less than three weeks until Christmas! Am I the only one?!

Hi, I found you via boring to better from "Savvy Southern Style"... love the log votif candle holder... I live in the woods and we are definitely making some home made gifts for aunts and uncles this year! I'm ready to go log hunting! Can't you just see that made with birch logs? Gorgeous!

If you have a chance, stop by my blog sometime. I'm going to follow you as soon as I post this!

Inspiration

I love to see changes in ugly things--whether it's new grass after the brown of winter, a free beat-up dresser that becomes a beauty after a few coats of paint, or a life once in shambles that's worth living again. One of my favorite quotes in the Bible is Isaiah 61:3, specifically how God will "give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Now that's a life with meaning!